By Joseph Jaramillo
CBD is one of the primary compounds found in the Cannabis plant, which includes both Hemp and Cannabis classifications. CBD can test up anywhere from 1 percent to 25 percent on the plant, and in most strains, it’s the second most dominant cannabinoid next to THC. While THC is best known for its psychoactive properties CBD will not get you high; rather CBD’s skyrocketing popularity is based entirely on its wide range of therapeutic benefits. Many consumers are touting the benefits of using CBD edibles for daily stress and anxiety, while others use the oils, balms and capsules for ailments like muscle pain, insomnia, and depression.
CBN is a bit different from CBD for a few reasons. Its’ content in cannabis tends to be pretty low, <1 percent or even less, but this is subject to change over time as the plant is exposed to oxygen or heat. As Cannabis ages its’ THC content breaks down into CBN. Additionally, while CBD has zero psychoactive properties the same can’t be said for CBN; CBN’s psychoactive properties are very very mild, so you would likely need to take a massive dose of CBN to feel any sort of high. Although CBN may be new to you, it was among the very first cannabinoids ever identified, and was successfully isolated for the first time in the 1930’s. In fact prior to the discovery of THC CBN was considered to be the cause behind the psychoactive effects of Cannabis! Despite CBN being on scientists’ radar for so long research on its’ use is very limited, especially when compared to the wealth of information available for both CBD and THC. That said, what we know so far about this cannabinoid is promising. One of CBN’s biggest benefits is that it’s a strong sedative, making it effective as a sleep aid and anti-anxiety drug. According to Steep Hill Labs CBN’s relaxing effects are comparable to the pharmaceutical diazepam, and a 1995 study on mice found that CBN can increase sleep as well. Additionally, CBN’s effectiveness for sleep is enhanced when taken alongside CBD, which has been praised for its ability to increase REM sleep, reduce nightmares, and treat sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea. Aside from sleep benefits, both CBN and CBD are potent Anti- inflammatories with powerful pain-relieving properties. Again, these benefits appear to be even more effective when both cannabinoids are taken together. Both CBN and CBD can also relieve pressure related to glaucoma, and both have antibacterial properties, including against Antibiotic-resistant MRSA. CBD is a powerful treatment for epilepsy and anxiety disorders, and CBN shows promise as an appetite stimulant as well. Cannabinol, or CBN, is one of more than a hundred cannabinoids that have been identified in the cannabis plant. THC and CBD are the two that garner all the attention, and they are the most dominant. A ‘lesser cannabinoid,’ CBN was actually the first one scientists discovered in the 1940s. CBN occurs in cannabis in much smaller amounts until the plant ages and oxidizes, which causes THC to convert to CBN.Since the FDA classified cannabis as a Schedule I drug in the same category as heroin during the 1970s, researchers have been prevented from studying the plant’s medicinal potential. While that’s changing, there’s a lot of catching up to do, and double-blind, controlled studies and clinical trials have yet to be completed. However, anecdotal evidence is in, and CBN is being touted as an all-natural cure for insomnia by cannabis experts and outlets. So, when I saw emails with CBN in the subject line hit my inbox, I didn’t leave them unread. Instead I reached out and asked to try the product being pitched so I could offer my own anecdotal accounts of CBN as a cure for insomnia. Two months and a lot of full nights of sleep later, my anecdotal evidence is in: CBN helps me fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up rested time and again. I’ve incorporated the cannabinoid into my daily routine, and I’m feeling better than I have in basically ever. It’s amazing what a little sleep can do. A whole month with full nights of sleep feels like a miracle. Don’t just believe me; try it yourself. Like every drug, CBN affects everybody differently. I have found that both CBN and CBD worked well for sleep, anxiety, and pain. No cannabinoid acting independently will express the benefit experienced when consuming the whole plant, so if you’re looking to get the most out of CBD and CBN, you’ll want to pick up some Full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD oil, as these types of CBD oil contain both compounds.
Full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD oils are similar, with one crucial difference: THC. Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all the cannabinoids and terpenes that were extracted from the cannabis plant, including CBD, THC, CBN, and a variety of other compounds that vary depending on the strain. Broadspectrum CBD oil, on the other hand, goes through additional processing to remove all traces of THC, while keeping all other cannabinoids intact. Full-spectrum CBD oil is a popular choice due to what’s called the “entourage effect.” Essentially, the benefits of each cannabinoid are enhanced when taken together. This includes THC and CBD, CBD and CBN, and the many other cannabinoids. Meanwhile, broad-spectrum CBD oil is ideal for those who desire the benefits of full spectrum CBD oil, but who can’t have any traces of THC due to work constraints or concerns about psychoactive effects. With all the attention CBD’s gotten lately, it is likely that we’ll see much more research into the benefits of CBN and other cannabinoids in the near future. Great news for those looking to get a restful night’s sleep, or those looking to calm their nerves and anxiety; because we all deserve to feel our best.
